What Are Some Challenges in School That Keep Students from Getting the Writing Help They Need?

I am often asked: “Why should we hire a writing tutor? Can’t my student get this help from their teacher?” It’s an understandable question—after all, teachers are trained professionals, and most parents expect schools to provide the tools their children need to succeed. But the reality of today’s classrooms is far more complex.

Here is the truth: teachers care deeply about their students. They want to see every child succeed. Unfortunately, when you look at some challenges in school, it becomes clear why teachers often can’t provide the one-on-one support that students need to thrive, especially in a skill as nuanced and personal as writing.

The Pressures Teachers Face Today

Classrooms are not what they used to be. Since the pandemic, the gaps in students’ academic preparedness have widened. Many students are entering high school and college with a shaky grasp of writing fundamentals.

Teachers are on the front lines of addressing these challenges, but they’re often overwhelmed by factors outside their control:

Larger Class Sizes

It is not uncommon for teachers to have classrooms of 30 or more students, each student at a different skill level. While some students may grasp concepts quickly, others need more time and individual attention to master them.

Behavioral Challenges

Disruptive behavior has become more common in classrooms, often due to social and emotional struggles brought on by the pandemic. Managing these behaviors takes valuable time and energy away from instruction.

Curriculum Mandates

Many teachers are required to follow strict, “teach-to-the-test” curriculums. These often prioritize standardized test preparation over foundational skills like writing fluency and analysis. Some teachers are required to read teaching scripts, leaving little room for creativity or individualized instruction.

Additional Responsibilities

Teachers are not just educators—they are also hall monitors, fundraisers, event coordinators, and communicators. From selling candy bars at sporting events to fielding constant parent emails, their time is divided between countless tasks.

Limited Time for Individual Help

Even if teachers want to give students one-on-one attention, they rarely have the opportunity. Between grading, planning, and mandatory duties, there’s little time left before or after school to sit down with a student and address their unique challenges.

How These Challenges Impact Writing Instruction

Writing is one of the most demanding skills to teach because it requires personalized feedback. Students need detailed guidance to improve their fluency, structure, and analytical skills—and this level of support is nearly impossible in a packed classroom.

Imagine a teacher with 30 students, each turning in a two-page essay. That’s 60 pages to read and comment on, often within a few days. Even if the teacher spends just five minutes per paper, that’s two and a half hours of grading—on top of their other responsibilities.

The result? Many teachers focus on general feedback rather than digging into the specific needs of each student. It is not their fault—they are simply stretched too thin.

The Value of One-on-One Writing Coaching

This is where personalized tutoring comes in. A writing tutor has the time and flexibility to focus entirely on your student’s needs, helping them grow in ways that just aren’t possible in a traditional classroom setting.

In my sessions, I prioritize:

Dedicated Time - Unlike a busy classroom, my tutoring sessions are all about the student. We focus on their strengths and weaknesses, building a personalized plan to address their unique goals.

Closing Skill Gaps - Many students struggle with the basics of writing, from structuring an essay to developing analytical arguments. By addressing these gaps directly, we can make rapid progress—often within just a few sessions.

Building Confidence - Writing can be intimidating, especially for students who feel “behind.” I create a safe space for students to experiment, make mistakes, and learn without fear of judgment. With positive and constructive feedback, they start to see writing as something they can do.

Going Beyond the Curriculum - In a classroom, teachers are often bound by a set curriculum. In tutoring, I have the freedom to explore topics and strategies that truly resonate with each student, helping them connect with writing in a meaningful way.

Real-Life Success: Jenna's Story

Jenna was a bright and feisty high school senior. She excelled at "doing school"—she completed her assignments, got decent grades, and stayed on top of her responsibilities. But when it came to analyzing complex texts, she hit a wall.

Her teacher, overwhelmed with over 30 students and classroom management challenges, didn’t have the time to notice why Jenna was struggling or to provide the extra help she needed. Jenna didn’t feel comfortable asking questions in class, so she stayed quiet, unsure how to move forward.

In our sessions, we created a writer’s notebook—a safe place for her to “write badly” and practice new skills. We worked on reflective writing and reader responses to challenging texts. Using the Socratic method, we explored not just what was happening in the text, but why.

The transformation was incredible. Jenna began to see connections she hadn’t noticed before, and her fluency improved dramatically. When she started college, she told me:

"College English wasn’t easy, but I understood the expectations. I used the strategies we practiced, and I wasn’t struggling like my peers. I felt confident because I knew I could do it."

Why Tutoring Works

Jenna’s story isn’t unique. Time and again, I’ve seen how one-on-one coaching can unlock a student’s potential—not just in writing, but in their overall academic and personal growth.

Here’s why it works:

Individualized Attention - Every student is different. In tutoring, I have the time to understand each student’s needs and adapt my approach to help them succeed.

Safe Space for Growth - Many students are hesitant to ask questions in class, fearing judgment or embarrassment. In a one-on-one setting, they feel comfortable taking risks and exploring new ideas.

Focus on Mastery - Classrooms often prioritize moving through the curriculum, even if some students are left behind. In tutoring, we don’t move on until the student has mastered the material.

Life-Long Skills - Writing isn’t just about getting good grades—it’s about learning to communicate effectively, think critically, and approach challenges with confidence. These are skills that serve students well beyond the classroom.

Tutoring Fills The Gap

Teachers care deeply about their students, but the demands of today’s classrooms often prevent them from giving the individualized support that writing requires. If we examine some challenges in school, we find that large class sizes, standardized testing pressures, and other barriers make it nearly impossible for teachers to offer personalized writing help.

Tutoring fills this gap, providing students with the time, attention, and strategies they need to thrive.

GET WRITING SUPPORT

If your student is struggling with writing—or if you simply want to help them reach their full potential—personalized coaching can make all the difference.

Let’s work together to make writing their superpower.